2005 College Commitments
Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2004 10:08 am
http://www.tribstar.com/articles/2004/1 ... orts02.txt
South's track star Bertoli commits to Indiana State
Pole vaulter hopes to also compete in decathlon
By Craig Pearson/Tribune-Star
Oct. 8, 2004
Just a few weeks into his sophomore track season, Anthony Bertoli had the goal to reach 10 feet in the pole vault. Starting out he was vaulting eight feet, but within a month of practice and indoor meets he reached the 12-foot plateau.
"That was the first indication he was going to be a good pole vaulter," Terre Haute South Coach Jeff Martin said. "We learned to vault together through camps and clinics on both of our parts. He just kept improving."
Bertoli cleared 13-6 that sophomore season, and his career best is 15-0. Bertoli finished seventh in the IHSAA state finals this spring in that event.
After making visits to Oklahoma and Eastern Illinois, Bertoli has verbally committed to compete for Coach John McNichols at Indiana State University. A night in ISU's dorms convinced him to stay in Terre Haute.
"I really enjoyed myself," said Bertoli, whose goal of being a science education teacher also fits well with ISU.
While the vault is his best event, Bertoli has hopes of competing in the decathlon.
"The vault is my best event, but I'm not sure what I'll be doing," said Bertoli, son of former Indiana State volleyball coach Jim Bertoli. "I might change if I get faster and stronger."
His work ethic is what made him a strong vaulter as well as one of the Wabash Valley's best competitors in the 400-meter run and a member of the Braves' state-finals qualifying 1,600-meter relay team, Coach Jeff Martin testified following Thursday's cross country practice at South.
Bertoli has become a strong contributor to South's cross country team in addition to his track exploits.
The 1,500-meter run is the final event of the decathlon, and Bertoli said he surprised himself with his performance in that long-distance running event at the United States Track and Field Junior Olympic National Championships in July at Eugene, Ore. That performance and personal records in six of the 10 events took Bertoli to eighth place in the decathlon, which includes the 100-meter dash, long jump, shot put, high jump, 400, 110-meter hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin and the 1,500.
Bertoli also vaulted 14-11 at the championships, a personal record outdoors that gave him fifth place out of 30 competitors vying for the national title.
In short, Bertoli's overall ability will be missed by Martin. But Martin's also excited for his pupil to join his former mentor at ISU.
"It's exciting," said Martin, a former hurdler for McNichols. "ISU has a good tradition of decathletes and pole vaulters."
South's track star Bertoli commits to Indiana State
Pole vaulter hopes to also compete in decathlon
By Craig Pearson/Tribune-Star
Oct. 8, 2004
Just a few weeks into his sophomore track season, Anthony Bertoli had the goal to reach 10 feet in the pole vault. Starting out he was vaulting eight feet, but within a month of practice and indoor meets he reached the 12-foot plateau.
"That was the first indication he was going to be a good pole vaulter," Terre Haute South Coach Jeff Martin said. "We learned to vault together through camps and clinics on both of our parts. He just kept improving."
Bertoli cleared 13-6 that sophomore season, and his career best is 15-0. Bertoli finished seventh in the IHSAA state finals this spring in that event.
After making visits to Oklahoma and Eastern Illinois, Bertoli has verbally committed to compete for Coach John McNichols at Indiana State University. A night in ISU's dorms convinced him to stay in Terre Haute.
"I really enjoyed myself," said Bertoli, whose goal of being a science education teacher also fits well with ISU.
While the vault is his best event, Bertoli has hopes of competing in the decathlon.
"The vault is my best event, but I'm not sure what I'll be doing," said Bertoli, son of former Indiana State volleyball coach Jim Bertoli. "I might change if I get faster and stronger."
His work ethic is what made him a strong vaulter as well as one of the Wabash Valley's best competitors in the 400-meter run and a member of the Braves' state-finals qualifying 1,600-meter relay team, Coach Jeff Martin testified following Thursday's cross country practice at South.
Bertoli has become a strong contributor to South's cross country team in addition to his track exploits.
The 1,500-meter run is the final event of the decathlon, and Bertoli said he surprised himself with his performance in that long-distance running event at the United States Track and Field Junior Olympic National Championships in July at Eugene, Ore. That performance and personal records in six of the 10 events took Bertoli to eighth place in the decathlon, which includes the 100-meter dash, long jump, shot put, high jump, 400, 110-meter hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin and the 1,500.
Bertoli also vaulted 14-11 at the championships, a personal record outdoors that gave him fifth place out of 30 competitors vying for the national title.
In short, Bertoli's overall ability will be missed by Martin. But Martin's also excited for his pupil to join his former mentor at ISU.
"It's exciting," said Martin, a former hurdler for McNichols. "ISU has a good tradition of decathletes and pole vaulters."